Which place is cheaper, Cusco or Perth?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Perth or Cusco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Perth and Cusco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Perth or Cusco?
Perth
Capital of Western Australia, Perth is a city that sits where the Swan River meets the sea, and given its ocean side location there is plenty to see and do on the water and beyond. Spend a day on Perth's sandy beaches or get lost in its parks and gardens, sail down the river or enjoy the city's history and culture visiting museums and historic sites, shopping, dining, and much more.
Cusco
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.
The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.
Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPerth $133Cusco $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Perth is $133, while the average daily cost in Cusco is $50. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Perth and Cusco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPerth $76Cusco $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPerth $152Cusco $46
Compare Hotels in Perth and Cusco
Looking for a hotel in Perth or Cusco? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Perth Hotel Prices and Cusco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Perth $25Cusco $9.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Perth
Also for Perth, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Perth City Hotels to Fremantle Cruise Port : $33
- Perth city to Perth Airport (PER) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth Airport(PER): $33
- Private Transfer from Fremantle Cruise Port to Perth city hotels: $33
- Perth Departure Transfer by Private Chauffeur: Perth City Center to Airport: $50
- Hillarys Boat Harbour: Rottnest Island Ferry Transfer: $59
- Perth Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Perth city: $67
- Departure Private Transfer: Perth City to Perth Airport PER in Business Car: $77
- Departure Private Transfer: Perth City to Perth Airport PER in Luxury Van: $103
- One Way Flight Transfer to or from Rottnest Island: $165
- Rottnest Island Flight Transfer with Return Ferry: $221
- Ballooning in the Avon Valley plus Transfer from Perth : $261
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- From 2-Day Guided Trip to Machu Picchu with Transfers: $350
- Full-Day Trip to Machu Picchu with Hotel Transfers: $290
- Private Transfer From Cusco To Puno With 2 Sightseeing Hours: $249
- Direct Private Transfer From Cusco to Puno, English Local Speaking Driver: $205
- Private Transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Airport to Valle Sagrado : $159
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco RoundTrip Private Transfer: $151
- Transfer Cusco_Ollantaytambo or vice versa with city tour and Pisac: $140
- Ollantaytambo train station to Cuzco city or airport- Roundtrip Private Transfer: $135
- Puno Bus Transfer with Buffet Lunch: $109
- Private City Tour and Saksaywaman Visit with Transfer: $80
- Cuzco to Ollantaytambo Train Station - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Cuzco city or airport to Ollantaytambo train station -Departure Private Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Perth or Cusco?
Prices for flights to both Cusco and Perth change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPerth $36Cusco $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Perth
For Perth, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hands on Cooking Class or Cooking Workshop Experience: $69
- Half-Day Low and Slow BBQ Food Tour in Perth: $79
- American BBQ Food Tour: $79
- Swan River Dinner Cruise with Beverages: $112
- Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise: $114
- From Pinnacles Sunset and Stargazing Tour with Dinner: $116
- Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Experience a Small Group Tour: $117
- Pinnacle Desert Sunset and Stargazing with Dinner: $142
- The 10 Tastings of Perth With Locals: Private Food Tour : $160
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.15
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Mango$0.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Small-Group Virtual Ceviche Cooking Experience: $25
- Folkloric Andean Show & 3-Course Dinner at Tunupa: $35
- CUSCO COOKING CLASS LUNCH - Quick Culinary Dive: $37
- 3-Hour Peruvian Cooking Class: $49
- Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco: $53
- Cooking Class and market tour with a local chef: $56
- Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco: $59
- Dinner at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Hotel: $65
- Peruvian Market Tour And Cooking Class in Cusco: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class & Market Tour: $65
- Awamaki Cooking Class: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Perth $14Cusco $29
Tours and Activities in Perth
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Perth.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $3.77
- Perth Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.38
- City Exploration Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
- Perth Bell Tower Entry Ticket and Bell Chiming Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Perth Video Game Console Museum Ticket: $13
- Perth Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- The Perth Mint Gold Tour: $16
- Wonderful Perth Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Fabulous Fremantle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Scitech Discovery Centre All Day Entry Ticket: $16
- Murder-and-Macabre: True Crime Self-Guided Walking Tour of Perth: $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.69
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- 2 Day Pisac Ollantaytambo Salt flats Moray Sacred Valley Tour: $297
- City Tour Cusco / Tour in the City: $12
- City tour of Cusco by E-BIKE: $131
- Colorful mountain adventure with a slightly steep hike: $48
- Half- Day City Tour Cusco : $150
- Moray saltmines ATV (Cuatrimotos) Tour: $68
- Night Tour in Cusco Private Service: $90
- Official Machupicchu Ticket: $96
- Official Ticket Football Day tour In Cusco with Tourism Guide: $100
- Official Ticket- Machu Picchu Lost Citadel: $72
- Private Tour to Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco: $130
- Sacred Valley Tour in Cusco : $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPerth $7.54Cusco $9.46
Sample the Local Flavors in Perth
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Perth:
- Little Creatures Brewery Tours : $17
- Half Day Swan Valley Wine Tour: $63
- Afternoon Swan Valley Wine Tasting with Transportation: $63
- Swan Valley: Half-Day Wine Tour From Perth: $63
- Swan Valley Boutique Wine Tour: Half-Day Small Group Experience: $64
- Mandoon Winery and Kayak Tour with wine tasting: $64
- Swan Valley Half Day Wine Tour from Perth: $66
- Half-Day Swan Valley Wine Tour with Tastings - From Perth: $69
- Swan Valley: Out for the Afternoon Wine Tasting with Lunch: $76
- Small-Group Gin Distillery Tour in Perth: $90
- Swan Valley: Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $92
- Swan River Kayaking Tour with Dining and Wine Tasting: $109
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl - Bar Tour Cusco : $18
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Cusco Bar Hopping Experience : $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with more than 10 Benefits: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Perth and Cusco, we can see that Perth is more expensive. And not only is Cusco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Perth is in Pacific and Cusco is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cusco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cusco and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Perth would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Perth than you might in Cusco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Perth Expensive? and Is Cusco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Perth or Cusco?
Perth has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Perth and Cusco, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.